Take it or not

I need some counsel if any of you would be generous enough to weigh in.

I was offered a full time position today with the big bank (one of the 5 biggest by market cap) that I interned with over the summer. It isn't for the position I hoped to be hired for but it is a decent job making decent money (45k in a low COL area). My boss knows that I applied to schools and pitched it to me that if I worked for a couple of years the bank would pick up the tab on my JD if I wanted to go back.

I haven't heard (yes or no) from any of the 9 schools I applied to but most of them are in the 20-50 range. Short of UVA taking pity on my Hail Mary ED app, is there any compelling reason to not go work for 2 or 3 years and apply again when I'm 25/26?

Also will companies really pay for you to go back to LS? I've heard about that for people to go get their MBA but not LS. And if they do pick up the tab for your graduate degree, what are the stipulations?

Also as an added note, on top of the bank gig I could continue to teach standardized test prep on weekends and probably bring in another 8-15k a year.

I am a 170+ splitter which is how I landed the prep job. I know I want to go to LS, it isn't a passing fancy. It's got nothing to do with doing big law $$ or clerkship prestige, I've known since I was in HS that I wanted to study the law.

My hesitation comes from my pragmatic side that says to take the bird in the bag and not to chase the two in the bush.

In theory I could take the LSAT again, I have gotten a lot better at it after teaching it for the last 6 months but does 3 or 4 points make that big of a difference in the 170s? at that point you are talking about a couple question difference.

fathergoose wrote:I am a 170+ splitter which is how I landed the prep job. I know I want to go to LS, it isn't a passing fancy. It's got nothing to do with doing big law $$ or clerkship prestige, I've known since I was in HS that I wanted to study the law.

My hesitation comes from my pragmatic side that says to take the bird in the bag and not to chase the two in the bush.

In theory I could take the LSAT again, I have gotten a lot better at it after teaching it for the last 6 months but does 3 or 4 points make that big of a difference in the 170s? at that point you are talking about a couple question difference.

I have a similar issue. If it's a job you want or something you're interested in, and you think you can improve your application over the next few years ... there is no rule saying just because you applied and may get into some decent schools that you HAVE to go to law school this year.

I know that doesn't make it any easier, I've been telling myself the same thing and still haven't decided what I'm going to do.

[quote="fathergoose"]I need some counsel if any of you would be generous enough to weigh in.

I was offered a full time position today with the big bank (one of the 5 biggest by market cap) that I interned with over the summer. It isn't for the position I hoped to be hired for but it is a decent job making decent money (45k in a low COL area). My boss knows that I applied to schools and pitched it to me that if I worked for a couple of years the bank would pick up the tab on my JD if I wanted to go back. .....>............

A 173/sub 3.0, with two years of work experience in a bank who applies ED to Northwestern will get in almost every time.

I am under no false illusion about my t14 chances. UVA is the only one I applied to and only then because of the ED and I have fee waivers.

The job isn't something I'd particularly enjoy but I lost that privilege when I bombed my UG GPA.

If I were you I'd take it, start saving for law school and ED to Northwestern next year, and if you don't get in ED the year after. If you don't get it then you'll have some cash for law school so you might be able to get a half scholarship at UIUC or WUSTL.

Law school anywhere but the very best schools is just too risky for people with our TTT GPA. We don't have at track record of doing what it takes to succeed.

Desert Fox wrote:Law school anywhere but the very best schools is just too risky for people with our TTT GPA. We don't have at track record of doing what it takes to succeed.

This is what terrifies me. I believe whole heartedly that I'll be able to turn on the after burners in LS and finish top 10% but I break into cold sweats thinking about graduating median or below at a non t14 with no real WE, no technical background, and a pile of debt.

fathergoose wrote:I am a 170+ splitter which is how I landed the prep job. I know I want to go to LS, it isn't a passing fancy. It's got nothing to do with doing big law $$ or clerkship prestige, I've known since I was in HS that I wanted to study the law.

My hesitation comes from my pragmatic side that says to take the bird in the bag and not to chase the two in the bush.

In theory I could take the LSAT again, I have gotten a lot better at it after teaching it for the last 6 months but does 3 or 4 points make that big of a difference in the 170s? at that point you are talking about a couple question difference.

yes. I currently have a 173 and was only one question away from a 175 - I'm now expecting a WL e-mail from my top choice that I'll end up riding out when a 175 would probably have gotten me an accept. For a number of reasons it makes sense for me to go next year even if I don't get into that school. For you, with a good job, prospects of little/no debt from school, and the possibility to get into a better school after achieving a slightly higher LSAT score and a couple years WE, it definitely makes sense to wait a couple years.

Also - coming from someone who's spent almost 2 years now in the working world. I LOVED working when I started - it was great to not have to bring work home. But now I'm completely and totally ready to go back to school and I'll be a better student for it.

Marisa5252 wrote:Also - coming from someone who's spent almost 2 years now in the working world. I LOVED working when I started - it was great to not have to bring work home. But now I'm completely and totally ready to go back to school and I'll be a better student for it.

fathergoose wrote: My boss knows that I applied to schools and pitched it to me that if I worked for a couple of years the bank would pick up the tab on my JD if I wanted to go back.

I'd get this in writing.... also, it's quite easy to be driven out right before (or during) you're applying to law schools or worse, while you're actually in school.

I wouldn't count on the $$$ from any employer.... perhaps even especially a bank.

While you were in school you'd have to keep your work the #1 priority because they'd be paying your ticket. That's too much control, if you asked me. Also, even if they did pick up the tab, it might be binding in some sense or you'd have to pay it back if you left, didn't work for them for xx number of years afterwards, etc. I would get ALL the details of this offer before using it as a consideration to go or not.

Marisa5252 wrote:Also - coming from someone who's spent almost 2 years now in the working world. I LOVED working when I started - it was great to not have to bring work home. But now I'm completely and totally ready to go back to school and I'll be a better student for it.

So you're already tired of working? Good luck after graduation.

haha no - working itself doesn't bother me - I'm just done working in a field that has little to do with what I want to do (law) and in a job that provides absolutely no opportunity for moving up... Basically I'm just sick of not feeling challenged at all....

I've heard of employers paying for people to go to law school, but they were exceptional employees. Not that you won't be. Just don't take for granted now that they'll one day pay your tuition. You will also probably be obligated to work for them for a certain period after you graduate or pay them back. Just something to consider.

That said, take the job. Earning $45K out of college is a very good position to be in in this economy, and it'll give you time to make sure you really do want to go to law school. Even if they don't pay your way, you can save up some funds on that salary so the debt burden is lighter.

j.wellington wrote:I've heard of employers paying for people to go to law school, but they were exceptional employees. Not that you won't be. Just don't take for granted now that they'll one day pay your tuition. You will also probably be obligated to work for them for a certain period after you graduate or pay them back. Just something to consider.

That said, take the job. Earning $45K out of college is a very good position to be in in this economy, and it'll give you time to make sure you really do want to go to law school. Even if they don't pay your way, you can save up some funds on that salary so the debt burden is lighter.

when employers pay for MBA it is usually part time as well..your boss may be expecting that (wants you to go PT at the local law school). i wouldn't count on your firm forking over 150k to pay for your northwestern jd without any serious strings attached.